A Pair of Cannon Barrel Pistols by Hirst of London.
A Pair of Cannon Barrel Pistols by Hirst of London. With round three-stage turn-off cannon barrels, stamped below with London proofs and Foreigners marks, the barrels numbered, ‘1’ and ‘2’ respectively, decorated with sprays of foliage at the breeches and stamped ‘LONDON’ border engraved box-lock actions, signed ‘HIRST TOWER HILL’ on foliate scrolls, decorated with foliate panels to the opposite sides (room for belt clips) cocks beautifully engraved, fitted with sliding safety catches, swelling walnut butts cut with raised foliate aprons around the tangs, with cast and chased silver escutcheons and grotesque mask butt caps, trigger guards engraved with foliate swirls.
HIRST
John. Former apprentice of Jonathan Herring or Heron, gunmaker of Darton, Yorks. Came to Londonand worked for ‘Mr Clarke who forged Gun Barrels for the Tower’ (London Magazine, 21 February 1747). Gunmaker at the Two Cross Gunsin the passage leading from Little Tower Hill to East Smithfield’, from 1744. Contractor to Ordnance, 1746-74; East India Co., 1772. One of the largest gun setters-up, reported had 34 workers in 1755. Supplied Ordnance with 5 breech loading rifles, 1762; Royal Princes with set of boy’s military arms, 1772.
Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London 1350-1850, George Shumway Publishing, York, Pennsylvania, USA.
Dimensions:
Bore: 20 Bore
Barrel Length: 5.25 Inches (13.3 cm)
Overall Length: 12 Inches (30.5 cm)
£2,850.00
1 in stock
